Affordable Housing: Let’s Clear Some Things Up
Zoning, Courts, Local Control & Why It’s Not As Simple As Everyone Thinks
It’s one of the most hotly contested and argued topics in New Jersey: Affordable Housing.
We hear the questions all the time, like:
“Why can’t the Township just say no to more development?”
“What even is affordable housing anyway?”
And sometimes, “Is this going to change our town?”
So, let's break it down.
What does “Affordable Housing” actually mean?
It’s not “projects,” “Section 8,” “free housing”—and it’s definitely not what a lot of people assume.
Do you know someone who just graduated college? A new teacher, police officer, or firefighter? A family working multiple jobs just trying to get by? A senior on a fixed income? Most of us do—and these are the people who need affordable housing in New Jersey.
Affordable housing refers to places people can live without spending more than 30% of their income.
And these homes don’t look any different than other homes in town. They’re just legally limited in what they can be rented or sold for. That’s it.
Why does the Township support this?
Two reasons. First, because we’re legally required to—just like every other town in New Jersey.
The NJ Constitution (through a law called the Mount Laurel Doctrine) says every town has to do its part to provide affordable housing. If we don’t, the courts or any developer can override our zoning. That means we lose control of what gets built and where.
But more importantly, the Township supports Affordable Housing because we see the need, and we want to help families have a home in our community and a safe place to live.
By creating a state-approved plan, we stay in charge of the process and avoid the risk of having developers come in and do whatever they want.
So...can't we just say no?
Even if we wanted to (and we don't), the answer is No.
If the Township doesn’t comply, we open ourselves up to lawsuits—and developers could build without having to follow our zoning rules. That means no limits on density, open space, traffic, or design. Not exactly an ideal outcome.
Bottom line:
Affordable housing doesn’t mean unsafe, unwanted, or out-of-place. It means the people who teach our kids, deliver our packages, protect our homes, serve our country, or grew up here can actually afford to stay here.
Helping support Affordable Housing is something the Township feels strongly about, and has for many years. Not just because we have to, but because it is the right thing to do to help people and grow the character of our community.
Got more questions?
We’re always open to the conversation. Come to a planning meeting, message us directly at adminagent@hgapa.com, or check out our Affordable Housing page.
Interested in affordable housing? Stay tuned — our follow-up posts on this topic will highlight specific projects we’ve worked on and what’s in the pipeline for the future.